Chapter 19

Another two days passed, and Ling Xiao had already cultivated the "Meteor Fist" to its peak, where he could control it with ease.

Following the standard movements of the Mountain and River Martial Spirit, he did not deviate even slightly.

The "Crimson Sun Technique" also progressed rapidly, finally reaching the ninth level of its peak, with his true qi increasing dramatically.

At the same time, his cultivation had smoothly reached the peak of the second level of the Martial Vein, and the two martial veins had been tempered to be very solid.

Now, the thickness of his true qi, the strength of his power, and the resilience of his body were not inferior to those of a third-level Martial Vein warrior.

In just about a week, he had transformed from being considered a worthless trash by others to becoming a peak second-level Martial Vein warrior, with his strength increasing several times over.

The source of all this, of course, was the awakening of the Mountain and River Martial Spirit.

Now, his interest in the Mountain and River Martial Spirit had grown even stronger, and he was increasingly fascinated by it.

However, to break through to the third level of the Martial Vein, he encountered some difficulties. To break through the realm, he needed certain external aids.

This would not only make the breakthrough easier but also prevent the risk of going astray.

In simple terms, he needed medicinal pills!

Pills like the Breakthrough Pill, Heart-Protecting Pill, and Vein-Protecting Pill.

He currently had only one Breakthrough Pill, which was far from enough. To break through safely, he needed the Heart-Protecting Pill and the Vein-Protecting Pill.

Since his life was only once, and there was no one to protect him during the breakthrough, he had to protect himself.

After returning home and having a meal, Ling Xiao did not go to practice again. Instead, he entered his room and began planning his future.

The annual competition was something he had never dared to think about before.

But now it was different. He was confident that he could smoothly break through to the third level of the Martial Vein by the day of the annual competition.

As long as he could achieve good results in the competition, he would become a key disciple of the Ling family.

From then on, he wouldn't have to worry about many things himself, and he would receive more resources. He would even get a monthly allowance, which was a stark contrast to his current situation.

At that time, not to mention Ling Feng and Ling Fei, even Ling Yixue and the genius disciples of other families in Tianfeng City, he would surpass them all.

"The effects of the Mountain and River Martial Spirit seem to go beyond just practice and analysis. There are villages and land inside, and perhaps it can even be used to plant medicinal herbs and raise fierce beasts!"

The materials for medicinal pills come from two sources: plants and animals.

If he wanted medicinal pills, he first needed to gather enough materials. If he could plant plants and raise beasts inside the Mountain and River Map, that would be perfect.

The powerful analysis and practice effects, combined with the ability to cultivate resources, were simply perfect!

He had to try it out!

Ling Xiao looked outside, at the vast and dense forest on the back mountain of the Ling family.

Tianfeng City was surrounded by mountains, known as the "Fulong Mountain Range."

The Fulong Mountain Range was dense with forests, had complex terrain, and the highest peak was over 8,000 meters, with year-round snow, making it a magnificent sight.

No one knew how vast the Fulong Mountain Range was, as even from the highest peak, one could not see the entire range.

Legend had it that a dragon coiled in the mountains, but no one had ever seen it. However, there were many beasts in the mountains, which were both feared and liked by martial artists.

Feared because the beasts were powerful and terrifying.

Liked because many materials from the beasts could be sold for money or used to refine medicines and pills.

The beasts were divided into ten levels by humans.

This data was obtained through the blood and experience of martial artists.

Generally, the level of the beasts corresponded to the cultivation level of martial artists. For example, a first-level beast was roughly equivalent to a first-level Martial Vein martial artist.

However, since beasts were born with special abilities, in actual combat, a first-level beast was stronger than most first-level Martial Vein martial artists.

The legendary tenth-level Beast King could easily destroy a country, and no one wanted to encounter such a beast.

Ling Xiao went to the Fulong Mountain Range not to make money or hunt beasts, but to find some special herbs and the young of some beasts, to see if he could plant and raise them inside the Mountain and River Map.

If successful, he could cultivate those relatively rare plants and animals himself, which would be a significant advantage.

With a swift movement, he leaped over the Ling family's courtyard wall, assumed a stance, and used the "Soaring Cloud Step" to dash toward the Fulong Mountain Range.

The "Soaring Cloud Step" was faster than riding a horse even without using the "Explosive Qi Technique," and it was even more terrifying with the "Explosive Qi Technique."

Although it would consume true qi, Ling Xiao had cultivated the "Recovery Qi Technique," which could basically ensure that his true qi consumption would not be too great.

Moreover, practicing light body techniques was itself a form of cultivation.

Before long, Ling Xiao had already reached the outskirts of the Fulong Mountain Range.

He did not dare to enter the forest too deeply, as he might encounter fierce beasts or even a Beast King, and he wouldn't have enough lives to survive.

Anyway, he had only two purposes for coming here: one was to conduct an experiment to see if he could plant and raise things inside the Mountain and River Map, and the other was to gather materials for refining pills.

The Ling family's pharmacy had dedicated alchemists. As long as you provided the materials and paid a certain fee, they would refine the pills for you.

Of course, the prerequisite was that you had to be a disciple of the Ling family.

The moment he entered the forest, Ling Xiao suddenly smiled.

Because he had discovered another benefit of the Mountain and River Map.

On the map, a cloud dissipated, revealing a forest. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was the Fulong Mountain Range.

However, the map only showed a one-kilometer radius around Ling Xiao.

If it was just a map, there would be nothing surprising, but the key was that the map also displayed several options.

"Herbs!"

"Wild Beasts!"

"Beasts!"

"Humans!"

These options could be selected, and after selection, they would be displayed on the map.

Herbs were shown as green dots, and when clicked, information about the herb would be displayed.

Wild beasts were shown as yellow dots, and beasts as red dots, with their levels displayed when clicked. Humans were shown as white dots, and when clicked, basic data would be displayed, though not as detailed as for beasts.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao was almost excited to the point of laughing out loud. He felt even more that his Mountain and River Martial Spirit was truly amazing.

The map seemed to encompass the entire world, but it needed certain triggers to display.

However, despite his excitement, he did not forget why he was there today. With this display, things would be much easier.

Ling Xiao's main targets were herbs and beasts below the third level.

"Let's start!"

Ling Xiao checked one of the green dots and then leaped into the air, heading toward the green dot.

The green dot indicated a plant called "Heavenly Fragrance Grass."

This herb was the most important ingredient for refining the "Vein-Protecting Pill."

The problem was that this herb mostly grew on cliffs and steep slopes, sometimes even over a hundred meters high.

If it were before, could Ling Xiao have collected it himself?

He wouldn't have dared to think about it.

But now, with the "Soaring Cloud Step," he could easily walk on cliffs, even up to a hundred meters high.